International Trademark Registration: What It Is and How the Works
JASAMEREK.COM – Planning to expand your business internationally? Before exporting your products, make sure your trademark is protected in the countries where you intend to operate.
Registering your trademark in Indonesia does not automatically provide protection overseas. Trademark rights are territorial, meaning you’ll need to obtain protection in each country where you want exclusive rights to your brand.
Here’s everything you need to know about international trademark registration.
What Is International Trademark Registration?
International trademark registration is the process of extending trademark protection to countries outside your home jurisdiction.
Unlike a domestic trademark application, an international filing is intended to secure trademark rights through the intellectual property offices of foreign countries.
Because trademark laws vary from one country to another, international registration involves additional requirements beyond those applicable in Indonesia.
To simplify this process, many countries participate in the Madrid Protocol, an international trademark registration system administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Since Indonesia is a member of the Madrid Protocol, Indonesian applicants can file an international trademark application through the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI) instead of submitting separate applications to each foreign trademark office.
How to Register an International Trademark
Follow these steps to begin protecting your trademark abroad.
1. Obtain Proof of Your Indonesian Trademark Application
Before applying internationally, you must first file a trademark application in Indonesia.
You don’t necessarily need to wait until your trademark certificate is issued. A pending Indonesian trademark application is generally sufficient to serve as the basis for an international application under the Madrid Protocol.
However, many business owners choose to wait until their Indonesian trademark is registered to reduce the risk of complications if the domestic application is ultimately refused.
Before expanding internationally, it’s also advisable to conduct trademark searches in both Indonesia and your target countries.
2. Access Your Trademark Account
Once you’ve submitted your Indonesian trademark application, you can access the Madrid Office of Origin Online through the DJKI trademark portal.
This online system is used to submit international trademark applications originating from Indonesia.
During this stage, you’ll be asked to provide information that enables DJKI to verify your application before forwarding it to WIPO.
3. Complete the Required Forms
International trademark registration requires both online and supporting application forms.
The online forms can be completed directly within the DJKI system by following the provided instructions.
Some countries also require additional forms.
For example:
- MM17 is used for designating the European Union.
- MM18 is required when designating the United States.
The forms you’ll need depend on the countries where you’re seeking trademark protection.
4. Prepare the Registration Fees
International trademark registration involves fees that differ from Indonesia’s domestic filing fees.
The total cost depends on several factors, including:
- The countries you designate
- The number of trademark classes
- Individual fees charged by each participating country
The DJKI system provides a fee calculator that connects with WIPO’s official fee schedule, allowing applicants to estimate the total amount before submitting their application.
Keep in mind that these international fees are separate from the domestic filing fees paid to DJKI.
What Happens After You Submit Your Application?
Once your application is submitted through DJKI, it is forwarded to WIPO for formal examination.
At this stage, WIPO reviews:
- The application forms
- Supporting documents
- Administrative compliance
If everything meets the formal requirements, WIPO records the international registration and forwards the application to the trademark offices of your designated countries.
Each national trademark office then conducts its own substantive examination according to its domestic trademark laws.
Because every country applies its own legal standards, approval in one country does not automatically guarantee approval elsewhere.
The examination process in designated countries typically takes 12 to 18 months, although timelines may vary depending on the jurisdiction.
Start with the First Step
Every international trademark application begins with one essential requirement: filing your trademark application in Indonesia.
Once your Indonesian application is in place, you’ll be eligible to seek protection abroad through the Madrid Protocol.
With Jasa Merek, you can receive professional assistance throughout the entire process—from Indonesian trademark registration to international filings—helping you protect your brand as your business grows across global markets.
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